Almost every town and city in
Goa has a church, which signifies that Christians here form
the second largest majority after Hindus. The Christians in
Goa celebrate their festivals with much splendor and delight
and are worth a watch. Some major festivals celebrated by
the Christians in Goa are Christmas, Good Friday, St.
Xavier's Feast, Feast of the Three Kings, Bonderam and the
Margao Feast.

Christmas
Christmas, like anywhere else in the world, is celebrated in
Goa too as the birthday of Jesus Christ with traditional joy
and festivity.

Come December 25th and the
markets are all decorated with glitter and streamers and
people cloaked as Santa stalk customers with gifts in the
big cities. Children in particular enjoy this day and look
forward to receiving gifts. Beautifully adorned and dazzling
Christmas trees, light up the city of Goa.

Good Friday
The Goan Catholics observe the occasion of Good Friday in
genuine veneration. It is an important occasion for the
Christians and is marked with extensive celebrations all
over Goa. The celebrations of Good Friday usually extend
till Easter Sunday. However, the most impressive celebration
takes place in the city of Panaji, the capital of Goa. The
most popular church of Panaji, the church of Our Lady of
Immaculate Conception, is beautifully decorated and
thousands of people gather there to pay tributes and take
part in the event.

St. Xavier's Feast
St. Francis Xavier was considered to be a great catholic
missionary and was famous for bringing Christianity to Asia.
He was born in Spain on 7th of April 1506. He came with the
Portuguese Viceroy of Goa in 1543, and right away commenced
on the task of preaching the teachings of Jesus Christ. To
honor his death, ceremonies are performed on 3rd December
every year, as this is the day he was put to rest. This day
is marked with elaborate feasting all over Goa and many
fairs are organized here and there.
Feast of
the Three Kings

Each year, scores of devotees and followers gather together
at the chapel of Nosa Senhora dos Reis to pray to Our Lady
of Immaculate Conception- a support of trust and courage to
its people. This day is begun with elaborate mass and
prayers and is followed by rejoice and grand feasting. It is
a tribute to the three kings who came with gifts to see the
Lord in his infant stage.

Bonderam
The festival of Bonderam, which is essentially a grand
feasting event, is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of
August every year at Divar Island, which is located 12
kilometers from Panaji. The natives celebrate this festival
to mark the anti Portuguese protest in Goa. In recent times,
this festival usually takes the form a carnival of sorts and
is enjoyed by one and all.

Margao Feast
Margao is the commercial hub of Goa and is a developed city.
However, people here still retain their traditions and are
proudly celebrate them. The Margao feast is celebrated in
the end of May and is famous throughout Goa. People come
from far away to attend this festival and indulge in
feasting and celebration.